View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which one of Athena's attributes is the subject of the final Hymn to Athena?

2. Which manifestations of the sun are discussed in The Hymn to the Sun?

3. Whose knowledge is related to the Muses, according to the poet in The Hymn to the Muses?

4. What prayer does the poet make in The Hymn to Poseidon?

5. How is Hestia's presence described in the Hymns to Hestia?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Aphrodite meets Anchises?

2. What is the reason given in The Hymn to Aphrodite for Aphrodite's attraction to mortal men?

3. Who are the Muses and what influence do they have?

4. How does Demeter reward the kindness of Celeus and Metanira and what is the result?

5. How is the birth of Aphrodite explained in The Second Hymn to Aphrodite?

6. How is The Hymn to Zeus written and how is Zeus defined in it?

7. What powers are described in The Hymn to Poseidon?

8. How does Demeter encounter King Celeus and Metanira?

9. Which lesson does The Hymn to Hephaistos illustrate?

10. What does the Dioscuri refer to in the two hymns to Dioscuri?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dionysus is given three hymns in The Homeric Hymns.

1) Describe Dionysus's birth and how he is different than some of the other gods.

2) Explain the events surrounding his capture and how he frees himself.

3) Describe the fate of the crew after Dionysus is free.

4) Using Dionysus's story as an example, analyze the idea of transformation vs. destruction as it is included in Greek mythology.

Essay Topic 2

Chronicle the development of Ancient Greek lyrical poetry, the development of the Greek alphabet, how stories might have been created before it, and the different styles used to distinguish the epic poems from other writings. Include an explanation of the forms used in Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey as a comparison to the writing in other ages and how Homer's work is used to support the theory of the existence of Homeric bards.

Essay Topic 3

Nature is a major element that is explored in Greek mythology.

1) Explain The Hymn to the Earth and the ways that Earth's blessings are manifested, using the hymn to provide examples of the Earth's characteristics and qualities, as well as what the poet gives her credit for and why.

2) Analyze the metaphors that are used in The Hymn to the Sun and The Hymn to the Moon along with the different powers that both the sun and moon possess.

3) Explain the origin of Castor and Pollux and what their existence means to the Greeks and nature.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 885 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample